Consolation Prize

     Lock 4 Park in Gallatin, TN hosted the third and final race of the 2011 Cross the Way Cyclocross Series. Last year's event on the Lock 4 peninsula proved to be a tough course that caused big seperations during the races. The pressure was on me to hold onto my Singlespeed series lead and maybe try to move up into a podium position in the Pro/1/2 series. I still only have one gear for my singlespeed bike. The big 46x16 would be sure to pose quite a challenge on this course, meaning the series could go down to the wire.

     Shannon and I arrived at Lock 4 with plenty of time to get in a good warm-up. We were a little worried about getting there in time since we were coming from church, but it wasn't a problem at all. A quick lap of the course showed a twisty one on the peninsula. There were several short climbs in the grass and one long, gradual climb on the pavement that constituted the start and finish straightaways. The ground was mostly dry, but a few soft spots existed. There was one notable soft stretch up one of the harder climbs and also a slick, off-camber corner near the end of the lap. Neither were wet enough to be considered muddy.

     The wind was whipping the course tape as the CX 3  and Masters race got underway. It was good to watch those guys and see what tactics were working and which were not. And to also see where people were falling. You can learn a lot from watching the other races.

CX 3 leaders

Bad Thad

    I was ready for the Pro/1/2 race on my new bike setup. I modified my position quite a bit after the Murfreesboro race. I dropped my stem height and hood height, giving me a a lower position, which gets the small-framed Redline to feel more like my All City singlespeed. The seatpost height was raised after I noticed the post had slipped during the Murfreesboro race. I practiced the position before race day and felt comfortable with it.

     The start was quick. I was first off the line, but then got swarmed. I just couldn't seem to get going up the first hill. I dropped off the pavement in 5th place. Andy Reardon got the hole shot and strung it out up the first grassy stretch. I was already having difficulty hanging on. The leaders were much more powerful than me the opening lap. The front four got away from me about a minute into the race. I was giving it my all, but they were pulling away, mostly on the flat sections and coming off the corners. I seemed to be holding my own on the climbs.

Troy Tucker and Jeremy Chambers

Andy Reardon

     My legs started to come around toward the end of lap 2. I wasn't gaining on the front four, but I wasn't losing much either. I was really focusing on my form again at this race, both on the bike and with running over the barriers. I think I am still having to ride and run a little slower to do it correctly, but to me it's worth it if I can have it corrected by the start of next season. I hopped on the bike following the barriers on lap 3 and found myself sitting on a seat that was sideways. Great, my seatpost was loose again! I stopped and knocked it back straight, losing a spot in the process.

     Over the next two laps, the post gradually kept dropping. It really jacked up my position and made my lower back start to hurt. I tried to tough it out, but it kept getting worse and almost got to the point of spasming. I kept trying to stretch my back, but it only helped for a few seconds. With three laps to go, I stopped in the pits to change bikes. I really didn't want to turn that big gear any more than I had to before the Singlespeed race, but I couldn't have my back spasming either. I was way back in 6th with no hopes of catching anyone. Everybody behind me had dropped out of the race. So I just backed off and practiced cornering on the singlespeed. The position of the singlespeed was a life saver. My back stopped hurting within a lap.

    Andy rode away to the win. He and Troy Tucker lapped me before the finish. Jeremy Chambers led the Pro/1/2 series coming into Lock 4. He had been running 2nd in the race until a tire issue caused him to fall back to 4th. Andy's win was enough to put him on equal points with Jeremy. Andy's two wins in the series got him the tie breaker so he took the overall title.

     I was happy to be done with this race. The only positive that came out of this was that I now knew exactly how the singlespeed felt on this course..and how hard the climbs were going to be! I had to walk one of them during the Pro race because I couldn't turn the big gear. My competition for the Singlespeed series was Mike Edens, and I knew he would have an easier gear so the pressure would be on for sure.

     We lined up for the Singlespeed race with a good-sized class. There were just 10 points seperating Mike and I in the overall. With 5 points between each positon, I had to finish within one spot of Mike. Two spots would mean a tie and he would win the tie breaker by beating me at the final race and by winning the Murfreesboro race. I really didn't think I could win with my bike, so I had to be sure that I kept track of Mike and stayed with him to the end. My goal was to get a good start and then hang on. I've gotten behind early in both of the races thus far and it's been a hole I couldn't dig myself out of.

     I got a good jump on the uphill start. It was strain but I got the big gear going. I got blocked into 3rd for a second, but then a gap appeared and I was able to squeeze through at the top of the climb. Mike shot by on the right and it was a drag race between he and I to the first turn. I wanted to lead so bad and set the tempo early. He backed off first as we hit the grassy turn. I had the lead heading toward the barriers for the first time! The plan was going good so far. My adrenaline was raging as it was sure going to be a great race for the series title.

     I kept the pace high and quickly cut it down to three of us up front. It was me, Mike and Travis Book. Travis finished 3rd in the Pro/1/2 race earlier. Travis was patient behind me even though he had a much better gear for the climbs. He sat back and watched me struggle the first lap. He passed me in the last section and I let him go. Tactically, it was good for me to let him go because if he won, he couldn't finish between Mike and I. As bad as I wanted to win the race, I knew I had to race smart if I wanted to get the series title.

     I took it easy up the road, letting Travis get a good gap. To my surprise, Mike was willing to sit on me. He seemed more concerned with me than getting Travis between us. Mike came past me just before the barriers on lap 2. I was quick to hop on his wheel. I knew I'd need to hang on his wheel if he was to cross the gap to Travis. But  we didn't close the gap at all that lap. Several times I wanted to go around him, but I was afraid of pulling him up to Travis and getting myself into a mess. I was also having to watch my back as Thad was lurking a few seconds back in 4th. He had the potential to be a spoiler as well.

Me leading Travis Book on the first lap of the Singlespeed race

Travis Book leads the Singlespeed race at the end of lap 1

Thad chasing hard in 4th

Dan Hensley had a good ride today

Nate Newton

     When we started lap 3 and I saw that Travis was still pulling away, I felt it was safe to go around Mike. I upped the pace, trying to open a little gap on Mike and get away from Thad at the same time. I ran a group of logs while Mike rode them. Turns out running was faster and I got the gap I had been looking for. Once I pulled off, it was time to go after Travis and try to win this race! I gave it all I had, but couldn't run him down. The legs were getting tired and the snap I needed to catch him just wasn't there. I took 2nd place, but won the overall. My goal for the series was the Pro/1/2 class, but I will gladly take the Singlespeed title. It feels kind of like a consolation prize for all the crap I had to deal with in the Pro/1/2 races.

Book

     It turned out to be a good day despite the early race troubles. I was happy to have demonstrated some better form running over the barriers. My glutes are definitely being used more in my pedaling. I was sore after the race and on Monday! That's a good sign that my glute training is working. I just can't get over how good I felt in the Singlespeed race compared to the Pro race. It was like night and day.

     The day was also a good chance to brush up on my Lock 4 peninsula knowledge. That'll come in handy Dec. 18 at the Tennessee State Championship Cyclocross. Thanks to Shannon for the great pics and the video posted below!

Running With a Red Nose

     One of the best events I did last year was the Rudolph's Red Nose Run 5K, a twilight run through downtown Nashville. I was excited to get to do it again this year. Shannon signed up for it as well, making it her second ever 5K. Keith and Misty were going to join us there. None of us have been running so it was sure to be an interesting event.

    The 5K starts at LP Field, crosses the Woodland Street Bridge over the Cumberland River for an out-and-back run down 2nd Avenue and Broadway before culminating with a lap around LP Field. The course is a tough one, featuring a climb right off the start followed by a long descent down 2nd Avenue. A right turn leads to a long climb up Broadway before you hit the turnaround. Then it's back down Broadway, climbing up 2nd Ave, descending back over the river bridge and finally a flat lap around LP Field.

Rudolph's Red Nose Run course through downtown Nashville

     There were 1384 participants this year. It's a huge crowd on the start line. There are tons of costumes. I saw everything from elves, reindeer and snowflakes, to bodysuit santas and The Mask, complete with yellow suit, green face paint and a bag of fake money. The course is lined with people as well. The race takes place just an hour before the annual Nashville Christmas Parade, so people are already staking out good places to watch.

     I had to work until 4pm, so we had to hurry to make it in time. We got there just in time to pick up our numbers and change. I got in maybe 5 minutes of warm-up before it was time to fight for a start spot. We actually got lined up in a decent spot, but had no idea where Keith and Misty were.

    The gun went off and the mad dash was under way. We were probably close to the top 100 rounding the first turn. I lost track of Shannon pretty quick as I began to weave my way through the crowd. There were some very slow people that started at the front. I was dangling off the back of the main group of fast runners as we topped the first hill and turn onto 2nd. On the descent, I made the junction to the group, but started to pop off again at the bottom of the hill on Broadway. It was so loud! Spectators were cheering, people were running all over the street and marching bands were playing in the distance as they prepared for the parade. It was like a race, a college football game and a riot all in one!

    The leader was coming back down the hill and we passed each other right in front of the Bridgestone Arena. That's one block farther into the race than I was last year when the leader passed by. The group slowed just before the turnaround and I got back on. But the pace was too fast down the hill on Broadway and I lost touch with the pack again. Even with all the people coming up the hill, I still managed to pick out Keith and Shannon going the other way.

     I dangled all the way up the climb on 2nd Avenue. There was a guy at the top of the 2nd Ave climb protesting Santa Claus. People will protest anything nowadays. He had a megaphone and was shouting "Tell your kids the truth! Santa is a lie!" I wanted to run over onto the sidewalk and punch him.

     I kept pushing it hard as we started the lap around LP Field. I was expecting to fade badly since I haven't been running lately, but I really came on in the last mile. I caught all the stragglers that fell off the main group. I finished off with a hard sprint. A guy passed me about two steps from the line which really irritated me because I was sprinting as hard as I could. I clocked a 21:39, good enough for 62nd overall and 4th in the 25-29 class. That's a 6:51 avg mile as the course came out a little long at 3.16 miles long. That was 1:18 faster than my time from last year.

Shannon coming in towards the finish

     Shannon had a great run too, bettering her personal best. She finished in 33:37. That gave her 43rd in her class and 572nd overall. She had a lot of fun and was amazed by how many people were out there. Keith finished 11th in his class with a time of 24:48. Misty's time was in the 34-minute range.

    We hung out afterwards, taking in the parade. Keith was very entertained by some of the other people that were enjoying the parade. There were a few crazies out there. We were all grateful for warmer weather this year. It was in the mid-40s for most of the night, making standing on a bridge watching decorated trucks drive by a little more enjoyable.

Rudolph!

Stay Brutal.

Another sweet sunrise by bike.

      Commuting to work continues to be a blast. The weather has become quite a bit colder, but it's still great to leave home in the dark, see the sun come up just before I get to work, then watch it set on the ride home and return to the house in the dark. I've been enjoying every ounce of daylight that my pale white skin sees outside of work.

     Several nights have seen a nice fire in the backyard after the ride home. It's fun for Shannon and I to relax by the fire in our new comfy chairs, just soaking up the heat. We have roasted turkey dogs and marshmallows on a coat hanger several times.

Another sunset riding home to a backyard fire.

The comfy chairs in the glow of the fire.

     We have a new friend at the house. This little groundhog has moved into our barn. He doesn't come out much, but I did get to watch him for a while one day. He was loading up on acorns. Kind of looked like me at the China King buffet.

     I was out riding the other day and stopped for a minute in a parking lot. I noticed that some kids had been writing with sidewalk chalk. Most of the writing said things like "You are the sunshine of my life," and "You are beautiful." It was cool to see that kids were writing something other than gang symbols and derogatory things. Then I noticed one off to the side. It simply said, "Stay brutal." It was a little different than the others, but not written in a mean way. More like a nice, hardcore kind of way, reminding you to not be a total sissy this winter. It was just the spark I needed to finish the ride hard! When you are trying to decide between the couch or the bike on a cold day, just think about what this kid wrote. Stay brutal you freak!

      Shannon has been trying some new recipes lately. She kept with the season and made a vegetable stew in a pumpkin. It was really good! That says a lot coming from a guy who despises all vegetables.

Pumpkin stew, baked  in the pumpkin

Chef gets the first taste

Mmmm! Pumpkin stew from a pumpkin!

     Thanksgiving was great for us. We stayed here in town and had dinner with my family. The weather was great. We got in an early morning ride in the sunshine. I even saw a dead beaver on a backroad. You don't see too many beavers here in middle Tennessee. After the morning ride, we drove to my grandparents' house for dinner. We got back around dark, strapped on our lights, and went riding again. It was a great day! I am so blessed to have Shannon as my wife. I mean, how many ladies out there are willing to ride twice on Thanksgiving?!!

Hitting some backroads on our Thanksgiving ride.

We caught a tractor hauling a huge barbecue grill during the ride. Never know what you will see on the roads around here.

     We had to work on Black Friday. It didn't bother me. I don't get into the crazy shopping. It amazes me how saving a few dollars can make people lose their mind. One lady maced people! I was more than happy to be working and making money while people were out blowing theirs. I got to commute that day too. Having lockers at work makes it easy for me to have more clothes, food and water available for my rides. That means I can ride farther on the way home!

My locker is on the left. My coworker Blake has the one on the right for his workout clothes. He has a slight ice cream eating problem, hence the name on his locker.

Black Friday sunset by bike

     Shannon and I have been working hard to restore my old trail at my parents' house. I have ridden it maybe three times this year. Last year I didn't do much better. All the storms wreaked havoc in the woods and the trail got away from me. Between work, racing and getting married, the trail took a backseat with so much maintenance needed. We have spent a few afternoons out there clearing fallen trees, raking leaves and rerouting sections of the trail. Some of the sections are washed out and needing to be moved. Others are just slow and have no flow. We are rebuilding the trail along the way, adding in some speed and flow and changing up the layout. The trail has been the same for 10 years. It's time for some change.

A new reroute. Can't wait to put some tire tracks on it.

Snoop the tree climbing dog.

My pets are so backwards. The cat gets in the tree after the dog gets out of it.

Snoop after digging in a tree.

Snoop looking straight-up crazy.

     I had the morning off two days ago and got to take the long way into work. It was a cold morning, but I had a great time cruising through some gravel and chip-and-tar backroads on the singlespeed. The temp was 28 when I left. My water bottle froze before I got to work. The silver, frosty farm fields made it all worth it though. Not to mention it felt good to see some sunshine after so much rain the past few weeks.

    We ran the Rudolph's Red Nose Run in Nashville last night. I'll post a blog about that soon. Tomorrow is the final race of the Cross the Way Series. I'm icing the legs tonight in hopes of being able to turn my big gear to a Singlespeed series win tomorrow afternoon.